Data from 18,385 first-time full-time students, approximately 10% of total freshmen enrolled during 1977-78 at Illinois public community colleges, who took the American College Testing Program (ACT) test showed average ACT composite scores of 16.7 and average high school grade point averages (GPA) of 2.6, compared with national norms for entering freshmen of 18.6 and 2.97 respectively. Comparison of ACT scores and GPA for Illinois community college freshmen since 1973 showed a decrease each year in average ACT score from the average 1973 score of 18.0, while average high school GPA increased each year. Over 50% of test participants said they would apply for financial aid, and 58% expected to work while in college and needed assistance in locating employment. Students identified a need for improvement in math skills (48%), for assistance in choosing a major (44%), for improving study skills (40%) and reading skills (38%), and for personal counseling (31%). Students expressed the following degree aspirations: 60% aspired to bachelor's degrees or higher, 29% aspired to two-year degrees, and 6% wanted less than two-year certificates. Business/commerce was the most popular vocational choice (20%). Field of study was cited as the most important factor in making a college choice (48%); other factors were tuition (22%), location (19%), and type of instruction (10%). (TR)